Firesides: Likely Going Away.

[Gunk]

I tend to agree with Sitake.

While I see the benefit of the firesides and no-question have they provided some wonderful moments, it's another thing that has to be coordinated and it does get a player's mind off the game.

What I hope is a few are still sprinkled throughout the year.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[SkystheLimit]

Having never been to one of the fire sides, I don't know what their value is, but it did seem that both the fans and players liked them. My hope would be that Sitake talks to the players to find out what they think before making a final decision on it. If the players felt like it was a distraction, then perhaps it would be a good thing to discontinue us them.

[snoscythe]

I've come to the decision that I'm just gonna hold off on knee-jerk reactions to news re: Sitake this first year (point of note--has it been confirmed that the firesides are done with, or is this just a rumor still?).

Even if the firesides go away, we've yet to hear if there will be something different or not, so it seems like a lot of wasted effort and emotion to critique every move he makes before we have the full context of what's going on. I'm just as guilty as the worst, but I'm gonna sit on my hands for a while now.

[stuckinbig10country]

I've come to the decision that I'm just gonna hold off on knee-jerk reactions to news re: Sitake this first year (point of note--has it been confirmed that the firesides are done with, or is this just a rumor still?).

Even if the firesides go away, we've yet to hear if there will be something different or not, so it seems like a lot of wasted effort and emotion to critique every move he makes before we have the full context of what's going on. I'm just as guilty as the worst, but I'm gonna sit on my hands for a while now.

Good point Sno...I know I've been less impressed by this hire than most, but I'm probably being overly critical. Maybe he will perform better as a head coach than he did as a coordinator, and we already know he can recruit pretty well.

[hawkwing]

My hope is that when KS reads this thread, which we all know he checks CougarCorner daily, he will reconsider and try out the firesides for awhile, or at least give the matter some serious consideration.

[Fido]

Everyone doesn't do things the same way. I'll trust him with the leeway to do what he feels is most important.

Edit note: It let me up vote my own post to counteract the down vote someone gave me.

Someone downvoted that? Ha.

I know, right? Talk about being punished for not following the group-think all the time.

[byufan4ever]

I lived in Nebraska for a long time... my good friend is the Stake Prez who hosted the fireside. I asked him for his honest assessment. And he's not a huge sports fan. Just not his nature. I can promise you he'll not be posting on a fan page.
He said "the fireside was amazing". Packed into the stake center with all the overflow filled. And broadcast to multiple other stake centers in the region.

Said the talks were "pretty good" which meant they weren't profound, rather aimed at not requiring too much work.
His fave part was the Q&A and "the closing prayer by a non member player" (see, he didn't know who Blackmon is!).

I talked to several other friends. And I'll tell you that even among members in NE, there's a bit of an anti-BYU sentiment. Mostly driven by the "zoobie" stereotypes, but also by the perception that NU is a better school than BYU (debatable by program IMHO). So there are a lot of kids who grow up there and become huge Husker fans, despite a formidable BYU pedigree. One friend had his son ask a question that Mitch Matthews answered. There are now 5 boys and a little girl in that family who are committed Cougars. While none will likely play D1 athletics, they are solidified in their fandom. #worthit

I'd like to see the players' council tell KS that it's worth it and to give it a year before he disbands the practice.

+1000! And these firesides require very little prep. At the Mizzou fireside one of the players said he prepared his talk on the team bus to the fireside! 5 minutes out of his game prep time. It's something that could easily be prepped for on Sundays when there is no other game prep. Come on guys. I've only heard weak excuses so far as to why it should not be continued.

[scott715]

The only question I have is the team seems flat at the start of the game. Change up the pre game warm up. Run through a wall and then start the game.

[byufan4ever]

Well, Bronco was also flat emotionally. I liked a lot of things about him, but I couldn't stand how he would just have this blank stare when things would go incredibly wrong. I see no reason why we can't both have a fireside the night before and come out on game day emotionally ready to kick some a$$!

I mean, church ball starts with a prayer and ends in a fight! So obviously Mormons know how to be both spiritual and a fighter!

[Schmoe]

Well, Bronco was also flat emotionally. I liked a lot of things about him, but I couldn't stand how he would just have this blank stare when things would go incredibly wrong.